BIRDWORLD will host a special Picnic in the Park event on Friday, June 3, from 6.30pm to 9pm to help the abandoned penguin chicks of South Africa.

The family-friendly evening event will offer the chance to have a picture taken with one of Birdworld’s friendly animals before meeting the stars of the show – the penguins themselves.

Keepers will be on hand to answer questions, and there will also be fun activities for the little ones, a giant tombola, creepy crawly critters, opportunities to win tickets to other popular attractions in a raffle and the chance to bag a bargain at a fun-fundraising stall.

It has been organised to raise awareness and funds for the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), a conservation organisation fighting to save the coastal birds of South Africa.

Birdworld is home to two thriving colonies of penguins, all of which enjoy daily feeds and a variety of fishy snacks, but the story for the wild population is vastly different.

Penguin numbers are declining at an alarming rate due to human abuse of their habitat. Overfishing, pollution and global warming are devastating the world’s oceans, and each year the number of surviving penguins declines still further.

Birdworld has been working with and fundraising for SANCCOB as part of its portfolio of conservation actions in recent years, donating thousands of pounds annually to conservation and redoubling its efforts to do even more in the coming year.

The park is committed to helping out not only with financial assistance but also by sharing their husbandry expertise. In 2014 senior keeper Jack Williams was sent to SANCCOB in South Africa to pass on his specialist knowledge of chick rearing. And keeper Zoe Keeping also volunteered her skills and time there in 2011.

In addition, Birdworld is currently hosting an online auction with all proceeds going to swell the SANCCOB abandoned chick appeal. The lots include hotel accommodation, tea for two, stadium tours, motor racing experiences and Birdworld experience packages.

For more information about the conservation fund visit the website www.bird

world.co.uk.